Israel on Trial: A Book Event with Roy K. Altman

Why It Matters

By translating Israel’s geopolitical controversies into a judicial framework, Altman's book equips scholars, policymakers, and the public with a rigorous tool to assess accusations, potentially reshaping the narrative around Israel’s legitimacy and international law.

Key Takeaways

• Book treats Israel's controversies as a formal legal trial
• Analyzes genocide, apartheid, colonialism claims using precise legal definitions
• Argues Jewish historic ties clearly invalidate settler‑colonialism accusations
• Cites archaeological, textual, and continuous presence as neutral evidence
• Calls for rigorous, impartial judicial reasoning in public debates

Summary

The event featured federal Judge Roy Altman unveiling his new book, Israel on Trial, a legal‑style examination of the most contentious accusations leveled against the modern state. Hosted by AEI senior fellow Christine Rosen and introduced by former clerk Mark Pinkert, the evening highlighted Altman's dual identity as a respected jurist and community leader, from his athletic youth to his role coaching the Little Maccabees baseball team.

Altman frames the debate as a courtroom proceeding, applying exact legal definitions to claims of genocide, apartheid and colonialism. He argues that Israel’s right to exist rests on an uninterrupted Jewish connection to the land, a premise he supports with three categories of neutral evidence—archaeological artifacts, ancient texts, and continuous habitation. The book also employs analogies such as the castle‑doctrine to illustrate how legal principles govern self‑defense, regardless of political sentiment.

Throughout the discussion, Altman invoked historical parallels, likening contemporary threats to the 2nd‑century Maccabean revolt against Antiochus IV. He emphasized meticulous judicial habits—reading every briefing, hearing both sides, and issuing opinions aloud—to underscore the book’s methodological rigor. The audience heard vivid descriptions of his nationwide speaking tour, his efforts to educate on hostile campuses, and his personal sacrifices, including missed family time and tennis games.

The broader implication is a call for disciplined, evidence‑based discourse on Israel, challenging activist narratives with the same standards applied in federal courts. If widely read, Altman’s work could reshape public debate, reinforce Israel’s historical legitimacy, and influence policymakers who rely on legally grounded analyses rather than emotive rhetoric.

Original Description

For decades, critics have levied accusations of apartheid, colonialism, and genocide against the State of Israel. These ideas are often repeated in public discourse without substantive justification, their premises being assumed rather than argued. Judge Roy K. Altman’s new book, Israel on Trial: Examining the History, the Evidence, and the Law, draws from “archeology, international law, DNA research, and centuries of history” to evaluate these claims with courtroom precision, replacing slogans and outrage with facts and rigor.

Please join us for a book presentation by Judge Altman, followed by a moderated discussion with AEI’s Christine Rosen. Additional speakers will be announced.

Submit questions to [e-mail].

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